Time saving ideas for block calvers

[jimmer]

@jimmer is 3x or is he 4x?

they are feeding the calves 3x currently
so far so good , but without a control group on ad lib or 2x it is hard to quantify success

 

[Irish NZ]

How are you doing ad lib when they're in the paddock

All good things come to an end so to is the ad lib. Go on 7L oad. They are earing at that stage so not as worried

 

[Irish NZ]

Ad lib cold milk ? How do you keep it clean and fresh

Its not easy to keep fresh milk warm in feeders so ya cold milk.

Feeders all come in first time in the morning and get hot washed. We have 4 spare feeders so they are getting swapped and washed. Milk is no more than 22 hours old.

 

[TelesnaAg]

I will be getting calves from 3 or 4 suppliers, am i best to give an electrolyte one dose of say 2L first up regardless...then a touch of milk later that night...the milk powder i will be using will be premium 26/20 with bovatec in it..id like to get them off to a good start.

Pnemonia - is there any prevention for this? a few complaining over here they losing calves quick when 8-12 weeks old - within 24 hours they go down and dead? I am coastal so don't get frost i wil also have them amongst trees when weather shitty and plus have old squares i got for free in paddocks for wind protection...this is an area i really want to focus on and have what i need on hand plus a good drench program...

Ant...

 

[buffalo_soldier]

I will be getting calves from 3 or 4 suppliers, am i best to give an electrolyte one dose of say 2L first up regardless...then a touch of milk later that night...the milk powder i will be using will be premium 26/20 with bovatec in it..id like to get them off to a good start.

Pnemonia - is there any prevention for this? a few complaining over here they losing calves quick when 8-12 weeks old - within 24 hours they go down and dead? I am coastal so don't get frost i wil also have them amongst trees when weather shitty and plus have old squares i got for free in paddocks for wind protection...this is an area i really want to focus on and have what i need on hand plus a good drench program...

Ant...

There is a vaccine over here called Rispoval. I think there are 2 types that you could look into.

However your post reads like you intend to have them outdoors. So its hard to see how you could improve on ventilation.

 

[TelesnaAg]

There is a vaccine over here called Rispoval. I think there are 2 types that you could look into.

However your post reads like you intend to have them outdoors. So its hard to see how you could improve on ventilation.

yes they will be out doors full time after about 9-12 weeks of age - all cattle are here..i will have shelters and wind breaks in paddocks - plus hay and 3 in 1 feeder for grain at all times...most just put them outdoors and that's it...i'm a softy with animals so they will be spoilt..i will look into treatments and vaccs..

Ant...

 

[Princess Pooper]

What do you feed calves at the start of the block when there's just heifers calving and not much colostrum ?

Frozen colostrum from last season. Heifer colostrum is also sometimes not very good quality.

 

[Clay52]

I will be getting calves from 3 or 4 suppliers, am i best to give an electrolyte one dose of say 2L first up regardless...then a touch of milk later that night...the milk powder i will be using will be premium 26/20 with bovatec in it..id like to get them off to a good start.

Pnemonia - is there any prevention for this? a few complaining over here they losing calves quick when 8-12 weeks old - within 24 hours they go down and dead? I am coastal so don't get frost i wil also have them amongst trees when weather shitty and plus have old squares i got for free in paddocks for wind protection...this is an area i really want to focus on and have what i need on hand plus a good drench program...

Ant...

No point giving electrolyte if they aren't dehydrated. It will do more harm than good as it has way less energy and protein than milk.

 

[Kiss]

If your going to all the effort of giving them the first feed yourself why wouldn't you test it before hand?

It takes seconds, the only reason I can see preference to feeding cows colostrum to heifers is your unlikely to know her johnes status, not every cows colostrum is good and not every heifers colostrum is bad.